Rapid Formations Alternatives: What Could Be a Better Fit

Starting a business is challenging enough, and getting it registered shouldn’t add to the stress.

A trustworthy company formation service can take care of the paperwork, ensure everything’s submitted correctly to Companies House, and let you focus on getting your business off the ground.

But with so many providers out there, it’s hard to know which one to choose. If you’re considering Rapid Formations or looking for a solid Rapid Formations alternative, we’ve done the research for you.

In this article, you’ll find 5 of the top-rated company formation agents in the UK, what they offer, how much they cost, and who they’re best suited for.

Let’s get into it.

1. ANNA Money

ANNA Money offers a streamlined, all-in-one platform that combines company registration, a business account, and built-in tax and admin tools. It’s ideal for founders who want to register, run, and manage their business in one place, with minimal hassle and powerful automation.

What makes ANNA Money a great Rapid Formations alternative?

• Free company formation (the Companies House fee is on us): ANNA’s Basic package lets you form a limited company without paying any markup. Higher-tier packages include the fee at no extra charge.
• Built-in business account: Every formation comes with an ANNA business account (either Pay-As-You-Go or full-featured, depending on your package) so you can start trading right away.
• Smart tax and admin tools: Features like receipt capture, invoicing, VAT filing, payroll, and corporation tax tools are all included and fully synced with your account to keep everything compliant and efficient.
• Virtual office address for privacy: Higher packages include a London-based virtual office address, protecting your home address and offering same-day mail scanning.
• Full compliance support: From VAT and PAYE registration to confirmation statements, dormant accounts, and changes to your company name or structure, everything’s handled easily through the ANNA app.
• E-commerce friendly: Seamlessly integrates with Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, and WooCommerce, making it a great choice for online sellers.
• Company closure support: If you ever need to shut down your company, ANNA offers an easy, supported process as part of its service.
• Transparent pricing: Choose from four clear packages based on your needs. Each includes core compliance and avoids hidden fees.
• Beginner-friendly setup: The formation journey is simple, guided, takes less than 10 minutes, and is well-rated for its clarity, which is great for first-time founders.
• 24/7 customer support: Get round-the-clock help for both your business account and company setup.

A few limitations

• Limited to LTD companies: ANNA only supports private limited companies limited by shares. It doesn’t currently offer formations for LLPs, charities, or more complex structures.

Pricing

ANNA offers four straightforward pricing tiers to match the level of support and automation you’re looking for. Every package includes core compliance features, with no hidden costs.

2. Quality Company Formations

Quality Company Formations (QCF) is a UK-based company formation agent known for offering one of the widest selections of company types, along with reliable compliance support and specialist services for both domestic and overseas founders. In addition to company registration, QCF provides company secretarial tools, privacy features, and address services to help simplify setup and ongoing management.

What makes QCF a suitable alternative to Rapid Formations?

• Extensive company structure options: QCF supports private limited companies, companies limited by guarantee, LLPs, charities, right to manage (RTM) companies, public limited companies (PLCs), property management firms, and businesses with multiple share classes.
• Support for non-UK residents: The Non-Residents Package includes a Central London registered office (Covent Garden) and mail forwarding, giving international users a professional UK presence with straightforward setup.
• Manual application checks: Every submission is reviewed by QCF staff before being sent to Companies House. This reduces errors and cuts the rejection rate from the 10% industry average to just 1%.
• Privacy and address protection: Services include registered office, director service address, and business address options.
• Ongoing compliance assistance: QCF supports tasks such as VAT registration, annual confirmation statements, and filing for dormant companies. Additional options include help with company name changes and secretary services.
• Global eligibility: Anyone over 16 years old can use QCF to form a UK company, regardless of nationality or current location, provided they are not legally disqualified.
• Fast formation times: Most companies are registered within 24 hours after submitting the application.

A few limitations

• No built-in business account: QCF does not provide its own business banking. Users are directed to external banking partners for account setup.
• No accounting or tax automation tools: The platform does not include features like bookkeeping or tax filing. These functions need to be managed separately.
• Limited support availability: Customer service operates Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm UK time. There is no evening or weekend support.
• Add-ons may increase cost: Some services, such as apostilled documents, full secretary support, or advanced address options, require additional fees and are not included in lower-tier packages.
• No live registration tracking: Companies House does not offer real-time updates. QCF notifies you once the process is complete, but status during registration is not visible.
• Not suited for niche legal entities: QCF supports many standard company types, but highly specialised legal structures may require custom legal advice outside the scope of its services.

Pricing

All packages include the Companies House filing fee. Pricing is transparent, and users can choose from several service levels depending on their registration needs and the type of support required.

Optional extras are available for those who need additional privacy or compliance tools.

3. Tide

Tide offers a comprehensive, app-based business finance platform focused on simplifying registering, banking, and financial management for UK small businesses, freelancers, and contractors. It combines free business banking with integrated tools for payments, accounting, invoicing, and payroll to support day-to-day business operations.

What makes Tide a suitable alternative to Rapid Formations?

• Low-cost company formation: Register a UK limited company for £14.99, significantly cheaper than the standard £50 Companies House fee, which Tide covers on your behalf during registration.
• Fast setup: Most company registrations are processed within one business day, with Certificate of incorporation sent by email swiftly after approval.
• Free business bank account included: Every company registration includes a free Tide business current account with no monthly fees on the basic plan, offering instant access to banking and essential financial tools immediately after formation.
• All-in-one digital platform: Tide combines company formation with integrated tools for invoicing, payments, expense management, and accounting within a single app designed for mobile and desktop use.
• Single shareholder company only: Tide currently supports only companies with one director and one shareholder, which suits solo entrepreneurs or freelancers but limits multi-shareholder setups.
• Non-resident friendly business accounts: Tide accepts companies with non-UK resident directors/shareholders provided there is a UK registered office and UK contact details, though company formation is limited to UK residents.
• Optional Virtual Office and Mail Forwarding: For a monthly fee starting at £22.99, Tide offers a Central London virtual office service that includes same-day mail scanning and forwarding, helping founders maintain privacy and professional addresses.
• 24/7 Support via In-App Chat: Continuous customer support available within the app to assist with formation and account questions.

A few limitations

• Mandatory Tide Business Account: Company formation at the £14.99 rate requires opening a Tide business account simultaneously; standalone formation without account opening is not offered.
• Limited company types: Only private limited companies (LTD) are supported; no formations for LLPs, charities, PLCs, or companies with multiple shareholders.
• UK resident incorporators only: Company formation services are only available to UK residents, limiting accessibility for overseas founders despite bank account support for non-residents.
• No printed document delivery included: Certificates and incorporation documents are emailed; requests for physical copies from Companies House incur additional fees.
• Virtual Office Service is optional: Privacy and mail handling services beyond the registered office address are add-ons and not included in the base price.
• Limited customisation options: Formation is streamlined but inflexible, i.e., no bespoke articles of association or complex share structures as standard.
• No multi-currency business accounts: While the banking side supports international payments, funds are held in GBP only, limiting currency flexibility in the account itself.

Pricing

Company registration service is available for £14.99.

All banking accounts include a UK sort code and account number, an IBAN, and integration with third-party accounting software.

Additional charges include ATM withdrawals (£1 each), cash deposits (0.5%-3%), and paid upgrades to Tide Accounting from £13.99 + VAT/month on lower tiers (free on Pro and Max).

4. Company Wizard

The Company Wizard is a full-featured, UK company formation service with a strong emphasis on speed, customer support, and thorough documentation. It blends a streamlined online registration with valuable extras such as prestigious office addresses, compliance tools, and ongoing assistance, which is ideal for startups, non-profits, and international entrepreneurs seeking a professional UK incorporation package with high reliability.

What makes Company Wizard a suitable alternative to Rapid Formations?

• Fast company formation: Most company registrations are completed within 3–6 working hours, with immediate issuance of incorporation documents in PDF format once approved.
• Wide company type support: Formation services include private limited companies (limited by shares), dormant companies, limited by guarantee (non-profits), LLPs, and Right to Manage Companies, covering a broad range of legal entity needs.
• Prestigious London Registered Office: Option to use their Regent Street, London address for registered office and full mail forwarding within the UK, protecting your home address with virtual office control panel access.
• Additional startup services: Offers company seals, nameplates, statutory registers, share certificate generation, and a free 12-month subscription to the QuickFile online accounting software.
• Bank account assistance: Provides introductions to banking partners, including Barclays, Tide, and ANNA to facilitate smooth bank account opening after setting up a company.
• Overseas client support: Helps non-UK residents with virtual office addresses, mail forwarding, local tax registration, and compliance reminders to ease cross-border startups.
• No rejection fees: If a submission is rejected by Companies House, The Company Wizard will resubmit as many times as required free of charge.

A few limitations

• Price above basic government fee: Their Basic package starts at £57.99, substantially above the £50 Companies House fee, reflecting added service value but less price competitive than some low-cost providers.
• No free company formation: Unlike some competitors, The Company Wizard does not offer free or very low-cost formation without upsells.
• Limited customisation on packages: The package structure is fixed, with extras like printed documents only available in higher-tier Executive plans.
• No inbuilt business banking: While introductions to banking partners are offered, The Company Wizard does not provide integrated business bank accounts or financial admin tools directly.
• No 24/7 support: Support is available during business hours but does not advertise round-the-clock assistance.
• Potential complexity for beginners: While the wizard guides through steps, understanding certain legal terms (e.g., Statement of Capital, SIC codes) may still require some familiarity or external advice.

Pricing

Additional services and products include:

• Registered office service in Regent Street with mail forwarding (optional)
• Company seals, nameplates, registers, templates, and apostille/legalisation services
• Free company name search and validation
• Assistance with secretarial duties and filing reminders

5. 001 Formation Agent Ltd

001 Formation Agent Ltd provides a fast, reliable, and comprehensive UK company formation service with strong ongoing support in tax, accounting, and payroll, designed to help businesses not only incorporate quickly but also manage compliance and finances effectively over time.

What makes 001 Formation Agent a suitable alternative to Rapid Formations?

• Quick business setup: Registered companies are usually formed within 24 business hours, with an optional Guaranteed Same Day Incorporation Service for urgent cases, enabling rapid business launch.
• Comprehensive post-incorporation support: Beyond initial formation, 001 Formation Agent offers a wide range of services including bookkeeping, tax advice, PAYE registration, payroll management, and VAT registration, helping clients optimise their tax positions and stay compliant.
• Registered Office and Service address: Clients can purchase a prestigious Central London registered office address (£89.99/year) or a South London option (£69.99/year), and enjoy free director service address management with the registered office.
• Complimentary Director Appointment and Resignation management: 001 handles director changes free of charge, easing corporate governance tasks.
• Tax and Accounting integration: Offers value-added accounting and tax services that many agents do not, supporting businesses post-formation with strategic financial management and payroll solutions.

A few limitations

• Higher starting price: The base formation package starts at £55.95, which is above the standard government filing fee of £50 and higher than some low-cost competitors, reflecting the broader service scope.
• Formation limited to Private Limited Companies: The service focuses on companies limited by shares; there is no mention of LLPs or charities.
• No free Registered Office: The reputable London address service incurs an annual fee; it is not included for free in basic packages.
• Support hours not available 24/7: Customer support availability isn’t indicated as round-the-clock, potentially limiting urgent assistance outside business hours.
• Company House processing constraints: While they aim for 24-hour formation, actual processing time depends on Companies House workload, a factor common to all formation agents.

Rapid Formations alternatives: Why ANNA Money might be a better fit

If you’re weighing up different company formation providers, ANNA Money offers a more practical approach for founders who want to register their business and handle ongoing admin in the same place.

Here’s what ANNA helps you do:

🔥 Register your company in under 5 minutes and receive your Certificate of incorporation within a few working hours.

🔥 Open a business account during the process, with a debit Mastercard, instant payment links, employee expense cards, and support for both UK and international payments.

🔥 Sort key taxes early – including VAT, PAYE, and Corporation Tax – using tools built into the platform.

Unlike traditional formation agents, ANNA also helps you manage day-to-day tasks. You can send invoices, record expenses, and keep track of payments without switching between apps.

If you're looking at Rapid Formations alternatives and want to reduce setup friction while staying compliant, ANNA Money may be a better match, especially if you’d rather not piece together your own tools.

Sign up today and register your company with everything you need to get started, already in place.